LOW LACQUERED WOOD BUFFET WITH POLYCHROME AND GOLD DECOR BY PIERRE BOBOT (1902-1974)

Low sideboard with flap and two doors in lacquered wood with polychrome decoration enhanced with gold, depicting plants and aquatic animals. It stands on anAsian-inspired base. Signed on the right panel: "Pierre Bobot" and "Prs B". The interior reveals a large compartment for storage.

 

Pierre BOBOT (Paris, 1902-1974) was a talented French lacquerer who studied at the École Bernard Palissy and, from 1921, at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. Early in his career, he worked for a restorer of ancient Chinese lacquers, where he was introduced to difficult techniques that interested him and decided his vocation. Since 1932, he has exhibited at the Salons d'Automne, then at those of Artistes Décorateurs and the Nationale des Beaux-Arts. He collaborated with Leleu, Dominique, Jallot and Pascaud, and sometimes created furniture himself, entirely lacquered or inlaid with ornamental motifs. Works by Bobot acquired by the City of Paris and the French State can be found at the Hôtel de Ville, the Mobilier National, the Ministry of Reconstruction and the Hôtel des Tabacs. He executed the panels presented by the President of the Republic to Queen Juliana, and carried out major projects for French shipping companies and the Dutch liner "Orange". A proven technician, Pierre Bobot appreciates the beauty of lacquer, loves gold and silver iridescence and has often revived engraved lacquers in imitation of the ancient Chinese "Coromandel" lacquers. He also achieves interesting effects by superimposing two lacquers of different thicknesses: a plain background on which ornamental motifs, flowers, birds or even anecdotal scenes stand out in relief. He conceived his panels as pretexts for large-scale decorative compositions, studying design and iconography with particular care. A retrospective of his work was held at the Musée Carnavalet, from October 2002 to February 2003.

20th century

Circa: 1940

Dim: W:85cm, D:40cm, H:87cm.

 

Condition report: good condition, with some light wear.